THE WHEAT YIELD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 109, 25 January 1918, Page 10

THE WHEAT YIELD

•PROBABLY SUFFICIENT FOR LOCAL REQUIREMENTS ALLOCATION TO MILLERS By TclegrapliTl'i'css Association. Chrlstcrwrch, January L' 4. , • In a statement mado this evening oii the wheat, question tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, said: ' 'The weather, conditions during the past two months, and particularly during the last month, have militated somewhat against the yield that was anticipated earlier in the season, but if the yield comes up to the average jf the ten last years there will probably be'' sufficient wheat for local requirements, and it is hoped thero will bo no necessity this season to import from Australia, except perhaps a small quantity ior mixing purposes.. In view of the increasing shipping difficulties it is to be hoped such a result will be achicv- . Ed, as last year the strain that was put upon intercolonial shipping resources to. bring from Australia approximately one and a half million bushels was severe, and New Zealand, which is eminently fitted to grow, sufficient wheat to satisfy its own requirements, shouid not be faeed.with the spectre of a wheat famine. "Early in February, when the' Wheat ■ Controller will be in possession of the statistical data, which is to ' be furnished by the millers, showing their output, the capacity of tho mills, and probable requirements, an allocation of. the crop will be'made co each miller, the various varieties being properly proportioned. Warrants to ■ purchase the amount so allocated will then be issued to the millers, and they will be expected to take delivery of as much of their allocation as they can accommodate- in their own mills or find suitablo storage for. Brokers.' have been instructed to arrange as far as possible that all deliveries will be made direct to the mills or to the miller.i' stores. ■■ "If the farmer cannot make an :nimediate sale and is compelled, by force of circumstances to hold his wheat, he will be given an extra halfpenny bushel per month from April to September for so. doing. This rate will probably be sufficient to recompense the grower if he is compelled to put his wheat through a store. Should there he any surplus of this season's crop after local requirements have been satisfied, the Government will of course purchase it right out and carry it over to ■ next season, and it will, 1 may snv, ie- | lieve my anxieties very greatly if llio surplus is a substantial one." Mr. Mae-Donald added that as far as possible brokers would make prompt settlements with the. farmers, and in the terms of the contracts made would pay for all whpat delivered on the Ist anil 14th day of each month.